Tag Archives: No Ordinary Family

This Monday Madness, vote for your favorite brother/sister duos! While many shows include 3, 4, or more siblings, this poll only focuses on a brother/sister pair – there may be other siblings, but only if they are less of a focus. (I may do a families poll in the future to cover families with multiple siblings like the Bluths.) As in the previous polls, I only included more recent shows, and included both half- and step-siblings, as well as adopted siblings (but not siblings-in-law).

I also did not include siblings when one of them is only in a handful of episodes. My general rule of thumb was going with siblings who had both been in at least 1/3 of the episodes. Be sure to keep that in mind with any nominations!

This poll will be open for one week, and you can choose up to 5 of your favorite TV brother/sister duos. Be sure to spread the word so your favorites will win!

I had a hard time coming up with duos for this list, so I know there are brother/sister pairs I left out! As always, you can cast write-in ballots by leaving a comment, and if I receive several nominations, I may add them to the poll! Want more of a say in what makes it onto the poll each week? Be sure to follow me on Twitter, since I usually ask for nominations for the next Monday Madness the weekend before the new poll.

Without further ado, here’s the poll for this week’s Monday Madness! Voting ends around 12AM March 31st.

The story on last week’s Grimm focuses on a father and daughter who are badger-like Wesen, while Monroe manages the shop for Rosalee, and Renard and Juliette suffer some side effects from the “pure of heart” potion and the kiss.

If you’ve been reading this blog, you know I’ve been rooting for Last Resort since pilot season. The premise was intriguing – a US sub disobeys orders to fire nuclear missiles and sets up its own government on a small tropical island – but the cast really got my attention. I especially looked forward to seeing Dichen Lachman (Dollhouse) and Autumn Reeser (No Ordinary Family) back on my TV screen.

An excellent promo only whet my appetite, so when ABC offered an online pilot preview, I dived right in. And was blown away.

Two reasons I enjoyed it much more than the other new high-concept ensemble drama I plan to watch (Revolution): it had many twists and turns the promo didn’t give away, and more potential/untold history with the characters.

Spoilers below!

The action starts immediately with the sub picking up a group of Navy SEALs (one of whom is badly injured) in hostile territory. There’s a bit of a breather then, where you get a glimpse at how the crew interacts – the mutual respect between Captain Marcus Chaplin (Andre Braugher) and his XO Sam Kendal (Scott Speedman), the difficulties Lieutenant Grace Shepard (Daisy Betts) faces as the daughter of an admiral, and some tension between the COB Joseph Prosser (Robert Patrick) and the other officers, as well as between the SEALs and the officers.

But just as the crew is celebrating crossing the equator, the ominous message comes in from a secondary command post (in Antarctica!): the Colorado is ordered to fire nuclear missiles at Pakistan. Chaplin and Kendal follow procedure until the last step, when they both acknowledge that something doesn’t feel right. The secondary post is only supposed to be used when Washington is under attack or similar circumstances, but according to D.C. television stations, everything’s fine. Chaplin calls in and asks to speak with someone whose authority he recognizes, or at least to receive the command via normal channels before he wipes out millions of people in a country the US isn’t even at war with.

He gets a call back and is relieved of his command. He passes the phone to Kendal, now acting captain, who also asks that the order come through normal channels. Shortly afterwards, an incoming missile is detected, and the sub dives, but is still hit and damaged before it crashes to the bottom of the ocean. There are several casualties, including one of the SEALs.

Meanwhile, back in Washington, Kylie Sinclair (Autumn Reeser) shares techy details about the Colorado as she romances a senator’s aide, trying to get her device (which cloaks the Colorado’s unique signature) onto other subs with his senator’s help (all the geek-speak reminded me of Autumn’s role on No Ordinary Family, but Kylie acts more confidant and sexy than Katie did). A cryptic text sends her rushing to confront Admiral Shepard with what she figured out – the missile that hit the Colorado wasn’t from Pakistan, like the media claims. It was from another US submarine. “You killed your own daughter,” she accuses, but his shocked reaction convinces her he has no idea what’s really going on. Also, uniformed officers show up at the door of Kendal’s wife, Christine (played by Jessy Schram – Once Upon a Time’s Cinderella).

Chaplin, with Kendal’s support and despite open defiance from the COB and others, comes up with a plan. With some of their command equipment damaged, they head to a small nearly island with a NATO station and take it over. There they find out that the attack was from a US sub, and that someone else followed orders and fired nukes into Pakistan. Chaplin calls Admiral Shepard and gives the phone to Grace so she can assure her father that she’s alive, and Kendal is able to call his wife.

One of the SEALs, James King (Daniel Lissing), connects with island barkeep Tani Tumrenjack (Dichen Lachman, who gets little screen time in this episode, but I hope that will change!) as he requests storage for his fallen comrade’s body and alcohol to drink his sorrow away. He’s soon challenged by the self-proclaimed “mayor” of the island, Julian Serrat (Michael Sahr Ngaujah) and his goons. After stating in detail how he will kill each one of them if they don’t quit keeping him from his drink, they leave (don’t mess with Navy SEALs!). However, they only retreat to take a more aggressive approach toward these unwelcome “tourists,” later kidnapping two members of the crew.

Since now the US knows the Colorado survived (thanks to the phone calls and a betrayal from the COB and several crew who aligned with him – Lt. Shepard was forced to shoot one of them before he executed Kendal), two bombers head toward the island. Knowing they’ll bomb the island even if the sub dives to avoid the attack, Chaplin issues an ultimatum – turn them back or he fires a nuke at Washington. They retreat at the last minute, and the nuke lands in the Atlantic. Chaplin declares a 200-mile no man’s land around the island, and threatens to nuke anyone who breaches it.

And the final twist? The injured SEAL ranting about how they had the wrong intel, that they killed the wrong people, and the one at the bar, sobbing at the attack footage and saying all this is his fault. The latter scene had added shock because of how unflappable King had been until that moment.

It’s hard to think of something I didn’t like about this pilot episode. The action kept things moving, the actors fit their roles, for all the drama there were moments with the right touch of humor, and the whole episode felt as polished as a summer blockbuster.

But unlike most summer blockbusters (no matter how many unwanted sequels get made), what hit me most was the potential for future storytelling in these characters. You don’t get to spend much time with most of them, but just about every character leaves you wanting to know more about their story.

Since the initial setting is a Navy sub, it did have a bit of an NCIS feel, especially those episodes that have taken place on a ship/sub. Caplin reminded me a little of Battlestar Galactica’s Adama – protective, but not afraid to be ruthless.

If Last Resort keeps up this quality, I will be watching every episode of the show. It has a rough time slot at 8PM on Thursday, especially against The Big Bang Theory, The X Factor, 30 Rock, and The Vampire Diaries. ABC hasn’t had a new show succeed in that time slot since Ugly Betty. But Last Resort has the mettle to stick around, so I hope viewers will give it a chance. You’ll be glad you did.

Josh Stewart, who currently can be seen in theaters playing Bain’s second-in-command in The Dark Knight Rises, has scheduled a guest appearance on season 2 of Grimm. The film also features Reggie Lee, Grimm’s lovable Sgt. Wu, as Blake’s partner on the force.

Both Reggie Lee and Josh Stewart also reoccurred on NBC’s short-lived No Ordinary Family (they shared one memorable scene). This will make FOUR actors from No Ordinary Family who have appeared on Grimm (almost thought it was five for a moment, with one Panabaker sister playing the mind-reading Daphne on NOF, and the other playing the fire-breathing Ariel on Grimm). Fan favorites Amy Gumenick (Supernatural) and Amy Acker (Angel, Dollhouse) have also guested on both shows.

ABC has finally announced its fall 2012 premiere dates, with most shows coming back during the final week of September (starting Monday, September 24 with Castle, and ending Sunday, September 30 with Once Upon a Time at their normal times).

Notable exceptions include Suburgatory (which returns Wednesday, October 17, in a new 9:30 time slot), Happy Endings and Don’t Trust the B—- in Apartment 23 (Tuesday, October 23 at 9 and 9:30 – I wonder if they did that so Apt. 23 would come back on the 23th – great way to get people to remember!), and the network’s two country-music themed offerings, Nashville (October 10) and Malibu Country (November 2).

The only new show I’m planning to check out on ABC this fall is Last Resort (premiering Thursday, September 27, at 8), with a cast that includes Dichen Lachman (Dollhouse), Autumn Reeser (No Ordinary Family), and Scott Speedman (Felicity).

Round two of TV Breakroom’s Olympic mini-poll event features married couples in live-action, scripted shows! Some of these were married when their shows began, others found their way to each other throughout the show. (With Once Upon a Time’s Prince Charming and Snow White, it was a little of both!)

The CW has finally corrected its too-short preview clips of new fall shows Arrow and Emily Owens, MD by releasing extended trailers!

Emily Owens, MD will air Tuesdays at 9, following fellow medical drama, Hart of Dixie. The show stars Mamie Gummer, Justin Hartley (who played the Green Arrow on Smallville), Kelly McCreary, and Michael Rady (who I’m most familiar with as Kostos in the Sisterhood movies; he’s also been reoccurring on The Mentalist and House of Lies recently). WARNING: This preview seems to give away the entire plot of the pilot, so if you’re already eager to watch it, I’d skip the trailer.

Arrow will air Wednesdays at 8, and will be followed by Supernatural. From this trailer, Arrow looks dark, intriguing, and awesome! This isn’t No Ordinary Family, or even The Cape – bad guys aren’t likely to be tied up and left for the police. And from The Hunger Games to The Avengers, archers are “in” right now. I’d describe this show as Hawkeye meets Batman meets The Count of Monte Cristo (only with an island instead of a prison). Arrow stars Stephen Amell, Katie Cassidy (Monte Carlo, Melrose Place), Susanna Thompson (Kings, NCIS), Willa Holland, and Paul Blackthorne (The River).

The reason that I link to TVLine so often is because they are so awesome at what they do – for example, this planned-to-be-updated slideshow on the fall TV pickups. They do miss out on one thing, though – personal commentary. Which I’m happy to provide. I don’t treat shows with their evenhanded professionalism – I have my favorites, and I’m not afraid to talk about them more, bash (kindly) crappy shows, and outright ignore TV that I don’t think is worthy of attention.

While it’s hard to judge a potential show by a cast list, description, and possibly a cast photo (especially comedies), here’s my first thoughts on which shows I’ll be checking out next fall.

666 Park Avenue – ABC – possibly, want to check out the preview to see whether this leans toward horror or supernatural fun, more likely to watch if the latter.

1600 Penn – NBC – the fact that this is a comedy and stars Bill Pullman (who’s played a president before) makes me more likely to watch this.

Animal Practice – NBC – not feeling this comedy of about an antisocial vet. If the previews make me laugh and it’s a good timeslot, I might check it out, though.

Arrow – the CW – definitely will try out this one, superhero shows were notably missing on TV this past year.

Beauty and the Beast – the CW – the fact that Jay Ryan only sprouts his beast-like qualities when angry gives this a bit of a Grimm feel, and improves its less-than-impressive 80s pedigree.

Ben & Kate – Fox – could be fun, could be a disaster, waiting for previews to decide whether I’ll take it for a spin.

The Carrie Diaries – the CW – nope. Not gonna watch, no matter how much I like Annasophia Robb. The CW passed on The Selection for this?

Chicago Fire – NBC – how can a cast photo make me less interested in a show? Don’t know exactly, but this one does, and I wasn’t too hot about the show in the first place, despite enjoying Jesse Spencer on House. Thinking it may be this year’s Trauma.

Cult – the CW – high-concept show that has a description which bores me. A favorite actor might have reeled me in to try it, but I think the show-within-a-show aspect will eventually kill it.

Do No Harm – NBC – medical shows usually generate a pass for me, but the dark alter-ego thing might pull me in, if the previews wow me.

Elementary – CBS – I know this won’t live up to the awesomeness of BBC’s Sherlock, but since I enjoy most Holmes reimaginings I’ll give this a try.

The Family Tools – ABC – not really interested, but if the previews make me laugh, I might spare a half hour to give it a fair shot.

The Goodwin Games – Fox – I like How I Met Your Mother, so if this show can make me laugh too, I’m in.

Go On – NBC – now this is a cast photo that works! I couldn’t have cared less about this show, but the tone set by the photo (above) makes me think it will be worth checking out.

Guys With Kids – NBC – sounds like a companion show for Up All Night, and since I don’t watch that . . .

Hannibal – NBC – did I mention no serial killers? Pity that Hugh Dancy will be in it, since I actually like his acting.

How To Live With Your Parents For the Rest of Your Life – ABC – could be fun, but shorten the title, please.

Infamous – NBC – intriguing undercover premise. I have a feeling I may pass on this out of sheer busyness, but I’ll let the previews make up my mind.

Last Resort – ABC – premise of a nuclear sub that refuses orders was enough to hook me, the additions of Dichen Lachman (Dollhouse) and Autumn Reeser (No Ordinary Family) to the cast made this a project I was rooting for.

Made in Jersey – CBS – not much info, but lawyer shows usually indicate a pass for me.

Malibu Country – ABC – if you knew my tastes in music, you’d understand why this is a huge NO.

The Mindy Project – Fox – curious to see what Kaling can do as not-Kelly, so despite the medical theme (boy, a lot of networks are trying to fill House’s place!), I’ll probably watch the pilot.

The Mob Doctor – Fox – I mean it, enough with the medical shows already! Ha, I have a feeling she’ll be digging a lot of bullets out of people.

Nashville – ABC – yes, country music is the genre I hate, so NO.

The Neighbors – ABC – a gated community of aliens? I have to see where they’re going to go with this.

The New Normal – NBC – pass.

Next Caller – NBC – another case of the cast photo working, plus Jeremy Tambor was great on Bent. This just moved from pass to checking out the pilot!

Partners – CBS – pass.

Red Widow – ABC – premise doesn’t pull me in enough.

Revolution – NBC – a few actors I’m familiar with and a decent premise make this a “see if the previews are any good” maybe for me.

Save Me – NBC – this just looks like a blend of creepy and blah. Huge pass.

Vegas – CBS – what is with networks and the 60s? Wanting the next Mad Men? Pass.

Zero Hour – ABC – need more info on what conspiracy they’re featuring, but this is leaning towards a pass.

Since so many people stopped by this site for March Madness, I wanted to continue the whole Madness thing, this time with actual polls (so if things go crazy like they did with Psych vs. Castle I won’t have to count up 600 votes!). More people seemed to stop by to vote on Mondays, no matter when the bracket match ended, so I decided to continue the “M” trend with weekly match-ups/polls/competitions, and dubbed them “Monday Madness.”

This very first Monday Madness focuses on those beloved shows that ended far too quickly. Sometimes it was a lack of viewers, sometimes schedule changes and episode rearrangement, sometimes poor promotion and network mismanagement. But all of the shows have a dedication group of fans who mourn the small amount of episodes available.

But which of those canceled shows deserves to be brought back? I know most of the cast has moved on to other projects, but if you could, which shows would you bring back?

You can choose up to 10 of the thirty shows below, and if I’ve missed any of your favorites, let me know by voting in the comments! I’ve limited this poll to shows that had 3 seasons or less – if a show gets to four seasons, that usually means syndication, and I don’t want this to be about shows that made it, but the underdogs that need a second chance at life.

You’ll notice that Arrested Development is missing from this poll, because that show has already beat incredible odds to garner another season, thanks to Netflix!

I’ll announce the top 10 canceled shows that should return next week, so be sure to vote and pass along the link so your favorite shows can make it! Again, if I’ve missed a show (canceled with 3 seasons or less), vote in the comments, and I’ll total up those votes against the poll leaderboard.

Tonight’s fire-breathing Grimm stars Danielle Panabaker (who I’m most familiar with on the movie Sky High; her sister Kay starred in No Ordinary Family). This time, Nick’s duties as a Grimm threaten the person he loves most – Juliette. Check out a sneak peek below.

After a superhero-less year (thanks to the cancellation of Smallville, The Cape, and No Ordinary Family, the only superheroes on TV were SyFy’s Alphas this past summer), it’s nice to see interest in the CW’s Arrow. I like that the pilot will have a Bourne feel, though I’m wondering if the network is planning to replace Nikita with this. Since the Green Arrow is more along the lines of a Batman sort of hero, I’m guessing the grittiness, fighting, and cool gadgets will be on par with Nikita’s. The only good thing (for Nikita at least) about Arrow’s buzz is that the CW may not want to exile the show to Fridays, leaving Nikita to keep its Supernatural lead-in spot.

Not sure a 1960s Western drama is going to make it on CBS, though it’s cool that No Ordinary Family’s Michael Chiklis has been cast in it. And is it just me, or does the picture above make Dennis Quaid look ancient?

A bunch more pilot news at the link below, including Lily Tomlin being cast as Reba McEntire’s mother on ABC’s Malibu Country.

While the concept of Last Resort didn’t grip me immediately, the cast is starting to make it one of my most hope-it-gets-to-series pilots. No Ordinary Family’s Autumn Reeser was the start, and now they’ve added Dichen Lachman (Dollhouse, Being Human) to the cast!

Well, I was going to write a post speculating where the cast of Chuck would end up this fall, but the pilot descriptions are (usually) so vague it’s hard to see where actors would best fit.

Comedy seems like a great choice for Zachary Levi. I hope Let It Go ends up being more along the lines of the genuinely funny How I Met Your Mother than the annoying awkwardness Fox’s hit comedy, New Girl, has drifted into.

Of course, Chuck fans are already clamoring for Yvonne Strahovski to play his character’s yet uncast wife. Others are eager for a Tangled reunion, though Mandy Moore has already been cast in an ABC comedy. I think No Ordinary Family’s Autumn Reeser (Katie Andrews) would have been a great choice, but she is in an ABC drama pilot already.

2011 has been a year of big changes for this blog. At the start of this year, I only had 3 posts and hadn’t even begun sharing the link. Now, I’m working on post 124 and get thousands of views every month.

As you can see, I’m also ending the year with a big change – a new layout. As much as I loved the look of the old layout, it was confusing for some and also probably hurting my chances of being found by search engines (with no text other than categories on the home page). I do plan to keep the same “wall of TV pics” look as my Twitter background, though. I’m still working through some of the kinks (like having to set images as featured images and adding read more links in ALL my old posts), so please let me know if you come across something that’s not working!